SSR lettering

erbster

erbster

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I've registered my boat for SSR pt3 and am looking to get vinyl lettering for the number. In several places, I have seen references to regulations regarding the display of the numbers (eg on this forum), but I can't find any specifics. Does anyone know what the requirements are? My boat is small and I'm keen to keep the lettering to a minimum.
 
I'm just wondering if this has got anything to do with it. In Australia we have HIN Numbers (Hull Identification Numbers) and they can only be placed by certain people and only in the approved way - permanently.


The actual rules are contained in the The Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Regulations 1993 Link (http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1993/Uksi_19933138_en_1.htm#tcon) as amended by The Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships, and Tonnage) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 Link (http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1999/uksi_19993206_en.pdf)

and the Marking requirements in Para 4 of Schedule 3:
4. A pleasure vessel which is under 24 metres in length is to be marked as follows:—
(a) the official number and registered tonnage are:—
(i) to be marked on the main beam or, if there is no main beam, on a readily accessible visible permanent part of the structure of the pleasure vessel either by cutting in, centre punching or raised lettering, or
(ii) to be engraved on plates of metal, wood or plastic, secured to the main beam (or, if there is no main beam, to a readily accessible visible permanent part of the structure) with rivets, through bolts with the ends clenched), or screws with the slots removed;
(b) the name and port of choice (unless an exempted ship), are to be marked on a conspicuous and permanent part of the stern on a dark ground in white or yellow letters, or on a light ground in black letters, the letters being not less than 5 centimetres high and of proportionate breadth, or, where this is not possible by the alternative methods given below:—
(i) by engraving on plates of metal or of plastic or by cutting in on a shaped wooden chock.Where a shaped wooden chock is used it should be secured to the hull through bolts, the ends being clenched, or
(ii) by individual glass reinforced plastic letters and numbers approximately 2mm in thickness.These to be fixed to the hull with epoxy adhesive, and painted with suitable paint and coated with translucent epoxy resin;
(iii) where metal or plastic plates have been used these must be fixed by the use of epoxy adhesives.Metal or plastic plates secured by adhesives should be coated with translucent epoxy resin after they have been fixed in position.
 
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erbster said:
I've registered my boat for SSR pt3 and am looking to get vinyl lettering for the number. In several places, I have seen references to regulations regarding the display of the numbers (eg on this forum), but I can't find any specifics. Does anyone know what the requirements are? My boat is small and I'm keen to keep the lettering to a minimum.
Click to expand...

From an old thread -
"Each digit should be minimum 30mm high and 20mm wide, except for the number 1 which should be 5mm wide with a space of 5mm between each digit.
The number must be painted on, or fixed to the exterior of the hull, deck or superstructure where it can be readily seen.
They can be light on dark background or dark on light."
 
coopec said:
I'm just wondering if this has got anything to do with it. In Australia we have HIN Numbers (Hull Identification Numbers) and they can only be placed by certain people and only in the approved way - permanently.


The actual rules are contained in the The Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Regulations 1993 Link (http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1993/Uksi_19933138_en_1.htm#tcon) as amended by The Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships, and Tonnage) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 Link (http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1999/uksi_19993206_en.pdf)

and the Marking requirements in Para 4 of Schedule 3:
4. A pleasure vessel which is under 24 metres in length is to be marked as follows:—
(a) the official number and registered tonnage are:—
(i) to be marked on the main beam or, if there is no main beam, on a readily accessible visible permanent part of the structure of the pleasure vessel either by cutting in, centre punching or raised lettering, or
(ii) to be engraved on plates of metal, wood or plastic, secured to the main beam (or, if there is no main beam, to a readily accessible visible permanent part of the structure) with rivets, through bolts with the ends clenched), or screws with the slots removed;
(b) the name and port of choice (unless an exempted ship), are to be marked on a conspicuous and permanent part of the stern on a dark ground in white or yellow letters, or on a light ground in black letters, the letters being not less than 5 centimetres high and of proportionate breadth, or, where this is not possible by the alternative methods given below:—
(i) by engraving on plates of metal or of plastic or by cutting in on a shaped wooden chock.Where a shaped wooden chock is used it should be secured to the hull through bolts, the ends being clenched, or
(ii) by individual glass reinforced plastic letters and numbers approximately 2mm in thickness.These to be fixed to the hull with epoxy adhesive, and painted with suitable paint and coated with translucent epoxy resin;
(iii) where metal or plastic plates have been used these must be fixed by the use of epoxy adhesives.Metal or plastic plates secured by adhesives should be coated with translucent epoxy resin after they have been fixed in position.
Click to expand...

Whether or not the OPs boat has an HIN will depend upon its age. I think they became mandatory under European RCD rules from around 1998 or thereabouts although some manufacturers moulded in a number from a very much earlier date.

Rest of the post may be applicable to full part 1 registration but is not relevant to the Small ships register ( SSR).

A bit of Gooling also comes up with 3cm as the minimum height for the SSR number' and this 7 year old thread applies http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?119987-SSR-numbers-How-big
 
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l'escargot said:
There should have been a leaflet with the regulation sizes with your certificate when it was returned.
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+1

Mine came with a sheet with the number printed actual size, to show exactly what it should look like (can't remember if it was my number or just an example one). Have you actually received your certificate yet, or just filled in the form?

Coopec - those look like the requirements for Part 1 registration to me. Part 3 is less onerous, you can just paint the numbers on the hull or cabin side, or use sticky plastic letters, and there's no need for the permanent markings on the "main beam".

Pete
 
Try someone like funkey monkey boat graphics. They have a dedicated template for ssr numbers and will make up the vinyl numbers so will be compliant and inline with each other. Easier than individual numbers and about £10 including delivery. Usual caveats
 
l'escargot said:
There should have been a leaflet with the regulation sizes with your certificate when it was returned.
Click to expand...

The registry people are surprisingly reticient about the carving and marking requirements for Part I. When I bought my boat I changed her port of registry and, when I had sent the form off, I rang the registry to ask what the lettering requirements were. They politely but flatly refused to tell me, saying that I would have to wait for the registration document to find out.

For SSR most people seem to use cheaply made 50mm vinyl letters as used on not-terribly-legal trailer number plates, arranged in a slightly uneven and sloping line somewhere near the back.
 
nigelmercier said:
The rules are fairly relaxed regarding size, I made my own to fit neatly in a given space. Happy to make more for cost of vinyl and P&P.
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No, they are not. They are very specific and as already noted a printout of the exact size comes with the certificate. However, nobody seems to check!
 
I knew I knew but it took Vic to tell me :D


SSRnumberDec06.jpg
 
erbster said:
I've registered my boat for SSR pt3 and am looking to get vinyl lettering for the number. In several places, I have seen references to regulations regarding the display of the numbers (eg on this forum), but I can't find any specifics. Does anyone know what the requirements are? My boat is small and I'm keen to keep the lettering to a minimum.
Click to expand...


With your Certificate of Registry should have come a letter and that letter should include the following wording:

"You must ensure your vessel is marked with its registered number (including the prefix "SSR"). This must be painted on, or fixed, to the exterior of the hull, deck or superstructure where it can be readily seen.

Each digit of the number should be a minimum of 30mm in height and 20mm in width, except for the number 1, which should be 5mm in width and have a thickness of 5mm with a space of 5mm between each digit."
 
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